Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2013 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

A few cm of new snow expected over the next few days and we can expect to see some accumulations throughout the week. Solar aspects now have a suncrust on them so heads up in these areas!

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Well some long awaited snow looks to be headed our way.Â The three day forecast has close to 15cm of snow expected but on Monday, we can expect to only see a few.Â Temperatures will be seasonal and winds will become more westerly and finally begin to ease back into the moderate range.Â 15cm of snow will be a pleasant change but another 15cm on top of that would be what we need to "Heal" many areas up to make the skiing good once again!

Avalanche Summary

There was evidence of several loose wet slides up to sz 1 on steep solar aspects that occurred with Saturdays heat wave.Â Winds kept the temps down on Sunday and as a result no new natural avalanche activity was observed.

Snowpack Summary

Winds were continuing to HOWL on Sunday and what little bits of available snow are available were being re-distributed and sublimated!Â The little bits of soft snow we did find were quickly turning into hard slabs.Â We did find the 0106SH in a quick profile below treeline and it was coming out CTE(SP) in stability tests.Â This is still a good reminder pockets of this persistent are still being found below treeline in sheltered areas.Â Sun crusts are being encountered on solar aspects up to 2400m.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Hard slabs are becoming more widespread in Alpine areas as a result of strong winds on Sat and Sun. Some isolated pockets may even be found in treeline areas.

Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

Buried wind slabs should be expected throughout the region. These slabs are now buried by the previous snow making them tougher to locate. Use caution in thin areas where these slabs may be more sensitive to triggering.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2013 2:00PM